LEMON Manuals: Even more car manuals for everyone: 1960-2025
Home >> Mercedes Benz >> 2021 >> GLB35 AMG >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Engine Performance >> Engine Control Systems >> Mixture Formation - 247 Chassis >> Basic Knowledge >> European On-Board Diagnostics, Basic Function - GF07.10-P-1057A
April 5, 2026: LEMON Manuals is launched! Read the announcement.

European On-Board Diagnostics, Basic Function - GF07.10-P-1057A

Engine all (4xWD) 

Engine all (CAR) 

Overview 

This document contains information on:

General 

European On-Board Diagnostics (EOBD) is a diagnostic system in the vehicle that monitors emissions-relevant systems and associated control units while driving. The objective is to determine and monitor malfunctions and exceeding of emission levels.

The EOBD stores malfunctions, communicates them to a diagnostic device via the diagnostics connection, and displays them in the instrument cluster through icons. As a result, the EOBD contributes to the reduction of exhaust gas emissions and protects vulnerable component parts from damage.

Function requirements 

Function 

European On-Board Diagnosis 

Legislation requires electrical monitoring of components and systems with regard to their exhaust emission values and functionality as well as a plausibility test for sensors.

The EOBD monitors the emissions-relevant systems and components listed in the table for malfunctions.

EOBD MONITORING FOR MALFUNCTIONS

Diesel engines Gasoline engines
Exhaust aftertreatment system Lambda sensors upstream and downstream of the catalytic converter
Diesel particulate filter Gasoline particulate filter
Glow system Catalytic converter function
Intake air path Catalytic converter heating
Fuel system Purge control
Cooling system Smooth engine running analysis
Crankcase ventilation system Central gateway control unit
Smooth running control Cooling system
Exhaust gas recirculation Restraint systems control unit
Restraint systems control unit Drivetrain control unit
Central gateway control unit Rain/light sensor with additional functions
Drivetrain control unit DC/DC converter control unit
Rain/light sensor with additional functions Coolant temperature sensor
DC/DC converter control unit -
Coolant temperature sensor -

IMPORTANT All systems that, if faulty, would prevent the diagnosis of other systems are also included.

Fault detection 

The combustion engine control unit checks the input and output signals for a permanent fault or signal interruption. The following faults are recognized according to their frequency and duration:

Fault testing 

Fault testing can relate to components or function chains. Component testing comprises the direct testing of a component part. In this case, the power supply and power circuits are monitored and sensor signals are compared.

For component parts and systems that cannot be tested with the aid of component testing, the function chain test is available. It involves indirect testing, with the combustion engine control unit actuating component parts and systems in a targeted manner and evaluating the resulting sensor signals.

Function chains check the systems listed in the table.

FUNCTION CHAIN TEST

Diesel engines Gasoline engines
Smooth running control Self-adjustment of mixture formation
Exhaust gas recirculation Smooth running analysis (recognition of combustion misfires)
- Catalytic converter function
- Oxygen sensors (aging and controlling)
- Oxygen sensor heater
- Purge control

Components and system monitoring 

The monitoring of components and systems can take place cyclically or continuously. Components and systems that are not permanently active are monitored cyclically.

As a result, monitoring takes place only in defined operating phases. In the case of continuous monitoring, permanent monitoring takes place from the engine start to ignition OFF (circuit 15).

The following systems listed in the table are monitored.

CONTINUOUS MONITORING

Monitoring type Diesel engines Gasoline engines
Cyclical Fuel system Catalytic converter function
  Exhaust gas recirculation Catalytic converter heating
  Smooth running control Oxygen sensors (aging and controlling)
  Soot particulate filter regeneration Oxygen sensor heater
  - Purge control
CONTINUOUS Intake air path Smooth engine running analysis
  Glow system Self-adjustment of mixture formation
  Soot particulate filter Soot particulate filter regeneration
  Exhaust aftertreatment system Automatic transmission
  Crankcase ventilation system -
  Cooling system -

Performing readiness tests 

With the readiness test, the EOBD performs a check as to whether diagnoses have taken place on non-permanently active systems (e.g. exhaust gas recirculation).

The readiness code is set for checking. It comprises two binary 12-digit series of numbers.

One of these series of numbers provides information on whether a specific component part or a specific function is being checked in this vehicle. 0 (component part not available or not in scope of testing) or 1 (component part available and in scope of testing) are assigned to the digits.

The second series shows the status of the tests that were carried out. In this case, each digit can be assigned 0 (diagnosis carried out) or 1 (diagnosis not carried out or canceled). The readiness code is set if the testing of all systems and components has taken place at least once per driving cycle.

Fault storage 

The documentation of emissions-relevant faults takes place in the form of a fault code known as the Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC). The EOBD stores the faults until the control unit confirms them. If the fault occurs in two consecutive driving cycles, the combustion engine control unit also stores it in the fault memory.

IMPORTANT A driving cycle consists of an engine start, vehicle journey and stopping the engine, whereby an increase in coolant temperature by at least 22°C to at least 70°C must occur.

Avoiding consequential faults 

Consequential faults occur if a faulty signal is detected and stored. To prevent consequential faults, all tests that have used a faulty signal as a benchmark are canceled.

Saving the fault freeze frame data 

If a fault occurs twice, the operating conditions are also stored as fault freeze frame data. If the fault occurs more than twice, an update to the most recently stored fault freeze frame data takes place.

The fault freeze frame data includes:

Fault message 

A fault message is issued as soon as a fault occurs in two consecutive driving cycles. Then the engine diagnosis indicator lamp icon lights up in the instrument cluster.

In the event of misfires, the icon flashes and then lights up permanently during the whole remaining driving cycle. The fault message goes out after three consecutive driving cycles.

Reading out the fault memory 

The fault memory of the combustion engine control unit can be read out via a diagnostic device or the XENTRY Diagnosis COM Kit. For this purpose, the ignition must be switched on or the engine must be running. Fault codes, fault freeze frame data, and readiness codes are stored in the fault memory.

Deleting faults 

The fault memory of the combustion engine control unit deletes stored content after 40 consecutive driving cycles without a fault. The fault memory can be cleared after a repair or diagnostics with a diagnostic device or with the XENTRY Diagnosis COM Kit. When clearing the fault codes in the fault memory, all readiness codes are automatically reset.